Overview

While music lovers and music historians alike understand that folkmusic played an increasingly pivotal role in American labor and politicsduring the economic and social tumult of the Great Depression, how did thisrelationship come to be? Ronald D. Cohen sheds new light on the complexcultural history of folk music in America, detailing the musicians, governmentagencies, and record companies that had a lasting impact during the1930s and beyond. Covering myriad musical styles and performers, Cohennarrates a singular history that begins in nineteenth-century labor politicsand popular music culture, following the rise of unions and Communismto the subsequent Red Scare and increasing power of the Conservativemovement in American politics—with American folk and vernacular musiccentered throughout. Detailing the influence and achievements of such notablemusicians as Pete Seeger, Big Bill Broonzy, and Woody Guthrie, Cohenexplores the intersections of politics, economics, and race, using the rootsof American folk music to explore one of the United States’ most troubledtimes. Becoming entangled with the ascending American left wing, folkmusic became synonymous with protest and sharing the troubles of real peoplethrough song.

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9781469628813

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Reviews

Successfully weaves together some of the important people engaged with left-wing music in this era and draws attention to the importance of of music to a historical understanding of the 1930s. --<i>Arkansas Historical Quarterly</i>

Successfully weaves together some of the important people engaged with left-wing music in this era and draws attention to the importance of of music to a historical understanding of the 1930s. --Arkansas Historical Quarterly

Cohen's approachable writing style makes this book appropriate for general readers as well as scholars of folk music, cultural history, and American politics. Highly recommended.--Choice Successfully weaves together some of the important people engaged with left-wing music in this era and draws attention to the importance of of music to a historical understanding of the 1930s.--Arkansas Historical Quarterly A book that is made to order for anyone who wants to understand where folk music came from and what the 1930s sounded like.--Labour/Le Travail A primer for anyone looking for an overview of the vernacular music that contained political commentary during this tumultuous yet pivotal American decade.--Journal of Southern History

Author Information

Ronald D. Cohen is emeritus professor of history at Indiana University Northwest, USA.

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